A Visit to Chabad Lifeline: Connecting Addiction Research with Lived Experience

On October 6, we, two graduate students (Cassandra Souleles and Nidhi Desai) and a post-doctoral fellow (Mathilde Argote) from The Addiction Imaging and Mental Health laboratory affiliated with The Douglas Hospital and McGill University led by Dr. Rabin, had the opportunity to attend a Tuesday Open Speaker meeting at Chabad Lifeline. We heard firsthand accounts from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences of addiction, gaining a deeper appreciation for the many ways addiction can affect people’s lives.

We were moved by the openness and warmth of the Chabad Lifeline team, who created a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where everyone felt comfortable sharing their experiences. The mutual support and empathy among participants were striking. We were also inspired by the team’s dedication to providing immediate, free support to anyone who walks through their doors, including those seeking help for the very first time.

As students specializing in addiction research, this experience reminded us why our work matters. Hearing these stories challenged us to look beyond clinical definitions of addiction and appreciate the lived experiences behind the science. It reinforced the importance of conducting research that remains connected to the needs and experiences of people affected by addiction.

We are grateful to the Chabad Lifeline team and meeting participants for welcoming us and sharing their experiences. Perhaps the most powerful takeaway was: “We all have different addictions, but the feelings are the same, and that’s what we share.”